Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta Platforms, has announced his departure after seven years at the company.

Nick Clegg, a former UK Deputy Prime Minister, will hand over his role to Joel Kaplan, Meta’s current Vice President of Global Public Policy and a known Republican.

The transition marks a significant leadership shift at the tech giant as it navigates a politically charged landscape.

In a farewell post on Facebook, Clegg reflected on his tenure, noting the transformation of Meta since he joined in 2018.

He highlighted its rapid rise as “one of the greatest communications platforms ever invented,” acknowledging the challenges of balancing innovation with transparency, accountability, and governance.

Joel Kaplan’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment, with Donald Trump set to take office later this month. A seasoned political strategist, Kaplan has previously handled Meta’s engagement with Republican leaders.

However, his influence at Meta has not been without controversy. Reports from the Financial Times allege Kaplan has intervened in policy decisions and sought to wield political influence, raising questions about his leadership style in the politically sensitive role.

Kaplan’s elevation also aligns with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent public support for Trump, despite past clashes between the former president and Meta’s leadership. The timing of this leadership change underscores Meta’s strategic efforts to navigate its relationship with the incoming administration.

During his time at Meta, Clegg played a key role in steering the company through periods of intense scrutiny and regulatory pressure. His work focused on enhancing transparency and building governance frameworks to address the challenges posed by Meta’s vast influence on global communication.

Clegg indicated he would spend the coming months transitioning his responsibilities to Kaplan while reflecting on his experiences.